Rate for Assessment on Direct Payment of Fees to Representatives in 2021, 78912 [2020-26795]

Download as PDF 78912 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 235 / Monday, December 7, 2020 / Notices records in accordance with agencyspecific records schedule N1–047–10– 004/I.E. ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS: We retain electronic and paper files containing personal identifiers in secure storage areas accessible only by our authorized employees and contractors who have a need for the information when performing their official duties. Security measures include, but are not limited to, the use of codes and profiles, personal identification number and password, and personal identification verification cards. We restrict access to specific correspondence within the system based on assigned roles and authorized users. We maintain electronic files with personal identifiers in secure storage areas. We use audit mechanisms to record sensitive transactions as an additional measure to protect information from unauthorized disclosure or modification. We keep paper records in cabinets within secure areas, with access limited to only those employees who have an official need for access in order to perform their duties. We annually provide our employees and contractors with appropriate security awareness training that includes reminders about the need to protect PII and the criminal penalties that apply to unauthorized access to, or disclosure of, PII (5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(1)). Furthermore, employees and contractors with access to databases maintaining PII must annually sign a sanctions document that acknowledges their accountability for inappropriately accessing or disclosing such information. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: Individuals may submit requests for information about whether this system contains a record about them by submitting a written request to the system manager at the above address, which includes their name, SSN, or other information that may be in this system of records that will identify them. Individuals requesting notification of, or access to, a record by mail must include: (1) A notarized statement to us to verify their identity; or (2) must certify in the request that they are the individual they claim to be and that they understand that the knowing and willful request for, or acquisition of, a record pertaining to another individual under false pretenses is a criminal offense. Individuals requesting notification of, or access to, records in person must provide their name, SSN, or other VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:32 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 253001 information that may be in this system of records that will identify them, as well as provide an identity document, preferably with a photograph, such as a driver’s license. Individuals lacking identification documents sufficient to establish their identity must certify in writing that they are the individual they claim to be and that they understand that the knowing and willful request for, or acquisition of, a record pertaining to another individual under false pretenses is a criminal offense. These procedures are in accordance with our regulations at 20 CFR 401.40 and 401.45. CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: Same as record access procedures. Individuals should also reasonably identify the record, specify the information they are contesting, and state the corrective action sought and the reasons for the correction with supporting justification showing how the record is incomplete, untimely, inaccurate, or irrelevant. These procedures are in accordance with our regulations at 20 CFR 401.65(a). NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES: Same as records access procedures. These procedures are in accordance with our regulations at 20 CFR 401.40 and 401.45. EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM: None. HISTORY: 75 FR 25904, Representative Disqualification, Suspension, and NonRecognition Information File. 80 FR 919, Representative Disqualification, Suspension, and NonRecognition Information File. 83 FR 54969, Representative Disqualification, Suspension, and NonRecognition Information File. [FR Doc. 2020–26794 Filed 12–4–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA–2020–0059] Rate for Assessment on Direct Payment of Fees to Representatives in 2021 AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA). ACTION: Jeffrey C. Blair, Associate General Counsel for Program Law, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401. Phone: (410) 965–3157, email Jeff.Blair@ ssa.gov. A claimant may appoint a qualified individual as a representative to act on his or her behalf in matters before the Social Security Administration (SSA). If the claimant is entitled to past-due benefits and was represented either by an attorney or by a non-attorney representative who has met certain prerequisites, we withhold up to 25 percent of the past-due benefits and use that money to pay the representative’s approved fee directly to the representative. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: When we pay the representative’s fee directly to the representative, we must collect from that fee payment an assessment to recover the costs we incur in determining and paying representatives’ fees. The Act provides that the assessment we collect will be the lesser of two amounts: A specified dollar limit; or the amount determined by multiplying the fee we are paying by the assessment percentage rate.1 The Act initially set the dollar limit at $75 in 2004 and provides that the limit will be adjusted annually based on changes in the cost-of-living.2 Currently, the maximum dollar limit for the assessment is $98, as we announced in the Federal Register on October 22, 2020 (85 FR 67413). The Act requires us each year to set the assessment percentage rate at the lesser of 6.3 percent or the percentage rate necessary to achieve full recovery of the costs we incur to determine and pay representatives’ fees.3 Based on the best available data, we have determined that the current rate of 6.3 percent will continue for 2021. We will continue to review our costs for these services on a yearly basis. Michelle King, Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance, and Management. [FR Doc. 2020–26795 Filed 12–4–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P Notice. We are announcing that the assessment percentage rate under the Social Security Act (Act) is 6.3 percent for 2021. SUMMARY: PO 00000 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1 42 U.S.C. 406(d), 406(e), and 1383(d)(2). U.S.C. 406(d)(2) and 1383(d)(2)(C)(ii)(I). 3 42 U.S.C. 406(d)(2)(B)(ii) and 1383(d)(2)(C)(ii)(II). 2 42 E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1

Agencies

Social Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 235 (Monday, December 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 78912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26795]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2020-0059]


Rate for Assessment on Direct Payment of Fees to Representatives 
in 2021

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are announcing that the assessment percentage rate under 
the Social Security Act (Act) is 6.3 percent for 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey C. Blair, Associate General 
Counsel for Program Law, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security 
Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. 
Phone: (410) 965-3157, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A claimant may appoint a qualified 
individual as a representative to act on his or her behalf in matters 
before the Social Security Administration (SSA). If the claimant is 
entitled to past-due benefits and was represented either by an attorney 
or by a non-attorney representative who has met certain prerequisites, 
we withhold up to 25 percent of the past-due benefits and use that 
money to pay the representative's approved fee directly to the 
representative.
    When we pay the representative's fee directly to the 
representative, we must collect from that fee payment an assessment to 
recover the costs we incur in determining and paying representatives' 
fees. The Act provides that the assessment we collect will be the 
lesser of two amounts: A specified dollar limit; or the amount 
determined by multiplying the fee we are paying by the assessment 
percentage rate.\1\
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    \1\ 42 U.S.C. 406(d), 406(e), and 1383(d)(2).
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    The Act initially set the dollar limit at $75 in 2004 and provides 
that the limit will be adjusted annually based on changes in the cost-
of-living.\2\ Currently, the maximum dollar limit for the assessment is 
$98, as we announced in the Federal Register on October 22, 2020 (85 FR 
67413).
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    \2\ 42 U.S.C. 406(d)(2) and 1383(d)(2)(C)(ii)(I).
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    The Act requires us each year to set the assessment percentage rate 
at the lesser of 6.3 percent or the percentage rate necessary to 
achieve full recovery of the costs we incur to determine and pay 
representatives' fees.\3\
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    \3\ 42 U.S.C. 406(d)(2)(B)(ii) and 1383(d)(2)(C)(ii)(II).
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    Based on the best available data, we have determined that the 
current rate of 6.3 percent will continue for 2021. We will continue to 
review our costs for these services on a yearly basis.

Michelle King,
Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance, and Management.
[FR Doc. 2020-26795 Filed 12-4-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P

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